incapable

1not able to do somethingincapable of somethingincapable of speechincapable of doing somethingThe children seem to be totally incapable of working by themselves.

2not able to control yourself or your affairs; not able to do anything wellHe was found lying in the road, drunk and incapable.If people keep telling you you're incapable, you begin to lose confidence in yourself.

oppositecapableWord Originlate 16th cent.: from French, or from late Latinincapabilis, from in-

‘not’

+ capabilis (from Latincapere

‘take or hold’

).Extra examplesHe was apparently physically incapable of lowering his voice.She was constitutionally incapable of bad temper.The wine had made him incapable of thinking clearly.This type of arrangement remains valid even if you become mentally incapable.